Five ways to celebrate July 4th weekend in North Dakota style

Take advantage of the three-day weekend to enjoy Independence Day celebrations across the state. From food to fireworks, North Dakota communities are alive with patriotism. Contact North Dakota Tourism for additional ideas at www.NDtourism.com or call 800-435-5663 or 701-328-2525.

Cowboy up

Wear red, white and blue to be part of this year’s Independence Day Parade theme during the 135th Annual Mandan Rodeo Days. During the three-day PRCA rodeo, you can don high heels for the Diva Dash, dine on burgers and hot dogs after the parade or dance the night away to 32 Below. In the Killdeer Mountains, some of the best professional rodeo cowboys in the world celebrate “Cowboy Christmas” with a stop at the legendary Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo. The Fort Ransom Stampede rodeo is your ticket to an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration.

Have your cake and eat it too

Cake, a kids’ carnival, Wild West Shootout and more are planned as part of Jamestown’s citywide birthday celebration for White Cloud/Tatanka Festival. Arnegard's Hometown Fourth of July includes a parade, food, fireworks and more. Food vendors will also line up in downtown Grand Forks as part of the community’s celebration along the Red River complete with live music and fireworks.

Rev up your engines

Outlaw Sprints, Late Models, Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks all compete for the checkered flag at the Friday Night Races in Grand Forks on one of the best 1/3-mile dirt tracks in the nation. You can get down and dirty with the Tri-County Mudders for mud drags, a bog race and hill-n-hole racing, or reminisce with all the classics that are Cruisin' Broadway in Fargo. From the streets to the skies, you can also take in the Rolla Air Show featuring Pietsch Brother's Air Show, UND Acrobatics and military aircraft.

Sleep out under the stars

There are literally hundreds of options to set up camp across North Dakota, enjoying our lakes, rivers, wooded areas and wide open spaces. Whether you’re looking to pitch a tent or relax in your air conditioned RV, North Dakota’s campgrounds await. Make your adventure even more memorable by trying out some of North Dakota’s unique accommodations like a yurt, tipi or cabin.

Fireworks light up the North Dakota skies

Nearly every community, small and large alike, will host a fireworks display for all to enjoy. A few notable options include the Fourth of July Spectacular at the State Capitol where the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony sets the mood for the evening, and watching the fireworks in the night sky against the beauty of the Badlands after the Medora Musical.

North Dakota’s accommodations are plentiful and varied. With more than 25,000 hotel rooms available in North Dakota, you’ll find a comfortable place to rest your head. So, plan your North Dakota vacation now. Go to NDtourism.com.